Knee Exam
What should be included in illness scripts?
history, epidemiology/risk factors, clinical presentation, associated symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
An older adult reports dull groin pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest, along with morning stiffness and crepitus. What condition is likely?
Osteoarthritis
A patient lands awkwardly with the ankle in inversion and plantarflexion. Which ligament is most commonly injured first in a typical lateral ankle sprain?
Anterior Talofibular Ligament (ATFL)
A patient has poor balance and impaired proprioception following a knee ligament injury. What type of intervention would you suggest?
Proprioception/balance exercises like tandem walk, single leg stance with visual challenges, unstable surfaces, dynamic reaching/ weight shifting
What is the difference between an autograft and allograft?
Autograft- same individual
Allograft- donor or cadaver
A patient has medial knee pain after a valgus injury. Name one special test used to assess the MCL.
Valgus stress test
What aspects of the hip joint can contribute to hip instability, possibly contributing to the development of OA?
Hip dysplasia, coxa valga, femoral or acetabular anteversion, soft tissue structure/behavior
A runner has pain on the bottom of the heel, complains of pain when going on tippy toes, and symptoms associated with increased weight-bearing activity. What condition is likely?
Plantar Fasciitis
Name one intervention that may be used to improve restricted knee mobility.
AROM, PROM, heel slides, tibiofemoral/ patellar mobilizations, STM, manual stretching, stationary bike ROM, heat, thermal ultrasound
Why should a clinician combine a patient's history with special-test findings instead of diagnosing from one special test alone?
tests can be specific vs sensitive and don't always give a definitive diagnosis; need to look at MOI, symptoms, other exam findings
Which ligament is most commonly injured when an athlete plants their foot, pivots, and experiences a sudden change in direction?
ACL
During a hip examination, a clinician wants to explore symptoms that may relate to nonarthritic hip pain or movement dysfunction. Name one special test that may be considered.
FADIR and FABER
A patient reports posterior ankle pain and tenderness or thickening along the Achilles tendon, with pain during loading. What condition should you consider?
Achilles Tendinopathy
A patient with a labral tear demonstrates weak hip abductors and extensors. What intervention targets these impairments?
Progressive strengthening of the hip abductors and extensors, using symptom-tolerated exercises such as bridges, clamshells, or standing hip abduction.
Name four broad components of a lower-extremity physical therapy examination.
subjective history, observation/gait, ROM or joint mobility, and strength or functional testing
A patient has pain with forced knee flexion, joint-line tenderness, and catching after a twisting injury. What diagnosis should be considered?
Meniscal Injury
Name three common precautions after a posterior-approach total hip arthroplasty to be aware of.
Flexion >90 degrees, Adduction >0 degrees, IR >0 degrees
A patient reports medial ankle/arch pain and possible sensory symptoms that worsen with prolonged standing or walking. What nerve-related condition should you consider?
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
A patient after ACL reconstruction has quadriceps activation deficits. Name two interventions or approaches that may help address this impairment when appropriate.
Quadriceps strengthening (focus on extension), NMES, functional training exercises, resistance exercises
A patient has ankle pain after open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) surgery. What should guide your decision about weight-bearing and progression?
surgeon specific post-operative protocol, patient's current healing status, tissue type, and type of surgery
A patient reports pain around or behind the patella that worsens with stairs, squatting, and prolonged sitting with the knee bent. What condition fits best?
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
A young, active patient presents with deep anterior groin pain that worsens with hip flexion and rotation, and examination reproduces symptoms with the FADIR test in the presence of cam or pincer morphology. What is the most likely diagnosis?
FAIS
A patient has lateral forefoot pain while walking or running. Compressing the metatarsal bones together reproduces pain, and tenderness is between the bones rather than directly over bone. What diagnosis is suggested?
Plantar neuropathy; pressure on digital nerve
A patient with FAIS wants to return to sport but develops groin pain with cutting and pivoting. What should guide progression?
Gradual, criteria-based progression of functional and sport-specific loading, guided by symptoms, strength, and movement control.
A patient is recovering from meniscus surgery. Why must you identify whether they had a meniscal repair or a meniscectomy before selecting interventions?
Weight bearing, ROM, and progression differ